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Houston Rockets: Options at forward for the 2018 NBA Draft

By Michael Knight
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack defends a shot from Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola Ramblers in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack defends a shot from Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola Ramblers in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates defeating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 81-73 in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates defeating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 81-73 in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Keita Bates-Diop

Our last prospect is an interesting one: Keita Bates-Diop from Ohio State. At 6’7, he is similar to the last two guys and could play quite a few positions for the Rockets.

It may be tough to draft Bates-Diop, though. Some mock drafts have him as high as a lottery pick while others have him falling to the second round. If he somehow falls to Houston, the Rockets must capitalize and pick him up.

Pros

Keita Bates-Diop can flat out score the basketball. He averaged 20 points a game for the Buckeyes last season. He also added 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for the team. He did this while shooting 48% from the floor and 36% from 3.

His defense is also incredible. Keita has the ability to be a seriously great defender in the NBA as his career progresses.

Cons

Once again, he might not be available for the Rockets in the second round. His ability is for real and he could be a great player in the league. Other teams will see this and could pick him up earlier in the draft.

Bates-Diop also has had a few injury issues. He weighs just 190 lbs even at 6’7, so that may contribute to those injuries. Hopefully, he is in for a long and healthy NBA career, maybe with Houston.

Whoever the Rockets decide to pick, we know that Daryl Morey and the rest of the front office will have done their homework. Who’s ready for the NBA Draft?

Next: 3 reasons why Paul George is a great fit

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